Turkey: Retail sales volume soars in October

By Gokhan Ergocun

ISTANBUL (AA) - Retail sales volume with constant prices in the Turkish economy jumped 12% year-on-year in October, according to official figures released on Monday.

During the month, the highest annual hike was seen in food, drinks and tobacco sales with 14.8%, the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat) stated.

Non-food sales -- except automotive fuel -- and automotive fuel sales followed it with 12.8% and 6.5%, respectively.

Among non-food, the volume of electronic goods and furniture sales rose 15.4%, and textile, clothing and footwear sales were up 10%.

Computers, books and telecommunications equipment sales and medical goods and cosmetic sales followed with 7.1% and 5.8%, respectively.

Meanwhile, sales by mail orders and internet climbed 98.3% year-on-year in October.

Demand for the online shopping platforms increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic period, when people chose or were forced to stay home.

- Retail turnover on rise in October

TurkStat also revealed that the calendar-adjusted retail turnover with current prices jumped 24.3% in October on a yearly basis.

"In the same month food, drinks and tobacco sales increased by 28.5%, non-food (except automotive fuel) sales increased by 28.9%, automotive fuel sales increased by 6%," it added.